On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, people throughout the world will recognize the eleventh anniversary of a series of tragic terrorist attacks; on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93. Commemorating 9/11 allows a display of patriotism, support for humanity, and empathy with thousands of civilians directly or indirectly affected by these heinous attacks. Some look back at 9/11/2001 as a time of unification, while for others, it is a day to honor the memory of a loved one - nearly 3,000 people, citizens of many nations, perished that day.

Though the "Ground Zero" Memorial & Museum is located at the site of the former World Trade Center in New York City, a continent away from the West Coast, local communities will commemorate the day of sorrow and actions of those who performed valiantly to avoid additional casualties. At the United Airlines Flight 93 Memorial in Union City, a ceremony will honor the memory of those on board who thwarted the plan of Al-Qaeda terrorists.

Union City's Flight 93 Memorial, an effort spearheaded by Michael L. Emerson, was completed and dedicated on December 8, 2007. Bound for San Francisco when commandeered by terrorists, it was the only one of four hijacked planes that did not reach its intended target in Washington D.C. Rather than stand idly by, passengers stormed the cockpit resulting in a crash into an empty field in Pennsylvania; all 44 passengers died on impact. Many family members of those who died in the crash will attend the ceremony on Tuesday, September 11. The remembrance begins at 9:45 a.m., and is open to the public.

Emerson is also helping with the construction of a National Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA, the site of the crash. It is expected to be completed in 2014. He is also involved with a Veterans Memorial in Castro Valley which will be dedicated November 11, 2012.